P.E.I. potato exporters, growers raise questions about CFIA offer to find new markets
CBC
An offer by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to help find international markets for surplus potatoes on Prince Edward Island has angered some growers and exporters on the Island.
A vice-president with the federal agency, Sylvie Lapointe, highlighted the efforts in a CFIA presentation to P.E.I. legislators on Dec. 17.
"We've been engaging with our counterparts in other countries, working with our embassies abroad and our market-access colleagues within the CFIA," Lapointe told the committee.
"A number of countries we're working with to open — not only to table stock potatoes, but also potentially to seed potatoes — and those include countries like Uruguay and Jamaica."
The CFIA suspended trade in fresh potatoes to the U.S. on Nov. 22.
The agency said its move was in response to American concerns about the discovery of potato wart in two P.E.I. fields in October, and the fear the U.S. would impose a ban of its own.
The chair of the P.E.I. Potato Board said he was shocked to hear Uruguay and Jamaica mentioned, as Island growers have been shipping potatoes to both for decades.
"My father has been shipping to Uruguay for at least 40 years," John Visser said, pointing out that an eastern P.E.I. grower is still shipping there this year.
"There's been potatoes going to Jamaica for at least 30 years on an ongoing basis."
Potato exporter Ryan McKenna of McKenna Brothers in Cardigan, P.E.I., said he was also surprised by the CFIA comments.
"Honestly, when we heard that interview with CFIA, when they listed Jamaica and Uruguay and some other countries, as an industry, we were honestly insulted, and really offended," McKenna said.
"I really think it speaks to the disconnect between the industry here in P.E.I. and the federal officials in Ottawa."
"P.E.I. has been actively exporting potatoes to these markets for generations and we have longstanding relationships with growers and buyers in these countries," McKenna said.
"So I'm not sure where that comment came from because they should know that we're already doing business in those countries as it is."
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